134 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



system and while a large number of seals were being killed ; some of the natives accu- 

 mtilated considerable sums which were deposited with the companies and bore interest. 

 But the diminution in the herd necessitated a reduction in the quota, and during the 

 modus Vivendi an appropriation was made by the Government for the support of the 

 natives. This continued to be done down to 191 1; the annual amount, at least during 

 the later years, was $19,500. 



CONDITIONS UNDER GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT. 



The lease of the North American Commercial Co. having been terminated in 19 10, 

 the Government deemed it best to abandon the leasing system and accordingly took 

 charge of all the activities on the Pribilof Islands. The special appropriation of $19,500 

 was discontinued, but a part of the general appropriation for Alaskan seal and salmon 

 fisheries was made available for the support of the natives. For this purpose the sum 

 of $40,000 was set aside, which the natives were supposed to earn by taking the seal 

 and fox skins and by miscellaneous labor. For some of this work the natives received 

 cash, but the greater part was paid in provisions and merchandise drawn in the form 

 of weekly allowances. In 191 2 the killing of seals, excepting the number actually 

 needed for food, was prohibited, and the sealing work involved was reduced to a negli- 

 gible quantity. The consequent necessity of making the natives dependent in a great 

 measure on the bount)' of the Government marks a decided backward step in their 

 progress along many important lines. Some of them consider that the Government is 

 bound to support them in any case, and as they can get very little beyond a mere liv- 

 ing they do not feel that they should be called upon to do any work not directly con- 

 cerned with sealing. Others are willing workers, but are dissatisfied because they can 

 not attain a condition superior to that allowed their associates who make no special 



effort. 



PRESENT SYSTEM OF SUPPORT. 



The following extract from the report of Walter I. Lembkey, former agent in charge 

 of the islands, as published in Appendix II of the Report of the United States Commis- 

 sioner of Fisheries for 1913 (Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 797, pp. 141-148) 

 states so clearly the present method of dealing with the natives that it may be quoted : 



PROBLEMS IN COMMUNISTIC SYSTEM. 



The instructions of the bureau provide that the natives shall be supplied, so far as funds will permit, 

 with the necessaries of life to an amount sufBcient to maintain them in comfort, due regard being paid 

 to economy and thrift. To this end various supplies to be used by the natives, as fuel, food, clothing, 

 etc., were purchased in San Francisco at the best wholesale rates obtainable and transported to the 

 islands on the bureau's chartered steamer Homer. These supplies upon arrival at the islands were 

 placed in the two general stores (one on each island), where they were marked for issue or sale at a price 

 one-third above wholesale cost, including all discounts except for cash. They were then distributed 

 after the methods hereafter detailed. The increase of one-third over the wholesale cost was made to 

 cover cost of transportation and handling only. 



The instruction.s of the bureau further provided that from the supplies thus taken to the islands 

 merchandise to the amount of $40,000 be furnished the native inhabitants for their support and main- 

 tenance during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1913. These supplies were not to be received by the 

 natives as a gratuity but as a return for services rendered. Services such as might be performed in the 

 taking of sealskins and in the management of the herd in general were considered the main labor for 

 which the natives were to receive this support; but, as the killing of seals was to be greatly curtailed, 

 the natives, in return for their support by the Government, were to be required to perform such other 



